Residents Press City for Answers on Trinity Estates Floodplain Concerns.

BENBROOK, TX — A long-running concern in South Benbrook is gaining renewed attention, as residents continue to question how development in the Trinity Estates floodplain is being handled.

At a recent City Council meeting, more officials referenced the city’s 2020 Comprehensive Plan and its focus on protecting floodplains and green space.

For some residents, that was a welcome shift. For others, it raised a bigger question: why do those same standards not appear to apply to Trinity Estates?

Long-time resident Greg Clem is among those asking for clarity. In a recent email to city leaders, Clem outlined a series of concerns centered on public safety, environmental impact, and consistency in city decision-making.

At the heart of the issue is access. Clem notes that Timberline Drive, the main entry point for Phase 3, could be submerged under several feet of water during a flood event. That raises a basic but urgent question for residents. How would families safely get in or out during an emergency?

Beyond safety, residents are also questioning how earlier site activity was handled, including reports of illegally dumped fill and the later addition of large amounts of untested dirt. Those conditions, Clem says, contributed to months of dust-related issues that drew attention from state regulators.

There is also concern about how the land itself was reclassified. For years, residents say the 73-acre floodplain was understood to be protected from development. That changed after waivers and exceptions were granted, opening the door for construction. Residents are now asking what shifted and why those earlier assurances no longer apply.

In his message, Clem called on city leadership to pause further development until safety concerns are fully addressed, including halting future phases and conducting a closer review of current plans.

The city’s response was brief. City Manager Jim Hinderaker stated that staff had already addressed these questions through prior communications and had no additional information to provide at this time .

For residents in Trinity Estates, the issue is not just about development, but one about trust, safety, and whether long-standing protections are still being upheld.

As conversations continue, many are still waiting for clearer answers and a path forward that puts both safety and transparency at the center.